Monday, October 25, 2010

"Enjoyable family meals benefit children's physical, mental, social, and academic well-being. They help build strong families, raisecompetent eaters, and create memories to last a lifetime. And, they can easily be delicious, nutritious, and fun."- Dayle Hayes, MS, RD

Dayle Hayes is an award-winning Registered Dietitian, author, and educator who brings a delightful blend of practicality and pizazz to everyday nutrition advice. Dayle authored Moving Away from Diets and Put Your Best Food Forward; developed a program for parents, FIT KIDS = HAPPY KIDS; created 5 A Day BINGO; and produced several videos, including: Body Trust: Undieting Your Way to Health and Happiness and Getting a Head Start with 5 A Day.

As a parent and member of the School Nutrition Association, Dayle is dedicated to improving school environments. She collected success stories for Making It Happen; wrote a chapter on communicating with students in Managing Child Nutrition Programs: Leadership for Excellence; and developed Enriching Family Mealtimes, a kit for school leaders and educators. In 2008, she co-authored the Position of the American Dietetic Association: Nutrition Guidance for Healthy Children Ages 2 to 11 Years.

Dayle is a member of the American Dietetic Association and the School Nutrition Association, as well as the Chair of the School Nutrition Services Dietetic Practice Group and the Co-Chair of Billings Action for Healthy Kids.

The What Incredible Choices Toolkit was created by Dayle Hayes, MS, RD for the Montana WIC Program with the use of Infrastructure Funds from USDA. The Toolkit is full of guidance, information, materials and activities for staff to use in promoting “the original fast food” (those delicious, flavorful, crunchy, juicy, sweet, nutritious fruits and vegetables) with their WIC participants. The Toolkit highlights fresh fruits and vegetables which can be purchased with the Montana Fruit and Vegetable Benefit and the Montana Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Benefit. These benefits may be used at authorized farmers and grocery stores. Materials are available in color and grayscale. For copies of all items, click here.

Dayle Hayes has a wonderful website and blog filled with creative educational materials and resources. Her blog "Eat Well at School" contains practical guidance and up-to-date information on the School Nutrition Program.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) is the leading consumer and community-focused health organization dedicated to the prevention of osteoporosis and broken bones, the promotion of strong bones for life and the reduction of human suffering through programs of public and clinician awareness, education, advocacy and research.

The drastic consequence of osteoporosis is visible in the lives of the millions of sufferers worldwide. Spinal, or vertebral, fractures are the most common type of fragility fracture, yet remain largely undiagnosed and untreated. World Osteoporosis Day 2010 will focus on spinal bone health and the impact of vertebral fractures.

Researchers today know a lot about how you can protect your bones throughout your life. Getting enough calcium, vitamin D and regular exercise are important for your bones.

Nutrition and Health: Osteoporosisby The Dairy and Nutrition Council of Indiana and Indiana Dairy Farmers

You’re never too young or too old to improve the health of your bones. Osteoporosis prevention should begin in childhood. But it shouldn’t stop there. Whatever your age, the habits you adopt now can affect your bone health for the rest of your life. Now is the time to take action.

"Check your own food behaviors and lifestyle to ensureyou are modeling good ones for your children.Remember, they will do what you DO, not what you say!"

- Angela Lemond, RD, CSP, LD

Angela Lemond, RD interviewed by NBC on Weight Control and the Function of "Fitmate:

Angela is a registered and licensed dietitian who specializes in pediatric nutrition, weight management, wellness, family nutrition, oncology and gastroenterology. She received her clinical dietetic training at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Upon graduating, she began her career at Children's Medical Center Dallas where she worked for five years in clinical pediatrics. She now has her own private practice seeing both adult and pediatric patients.

Angela’s current nutrition initiatives surround the promotion of healthy family lifestyles. She is very active in media communications and has been quoted locally and nationally on the subject of healthy eating and being a healthy role model for children. Angela serves on media boards for both the Dallas and Texas Dietetic Association. She is a Certified Specialist in Weight Management as well as a Board Certified Specialist in Pediatric Nutrition through the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

Angela's expertise in family nutrition and as a growth specialist allows her to assist children and their families to achieve optimum health. Whether your child is overweight, underweight or on a special diet, nutrition therapy is key to your child's success. Other specialty areas include digestive disorders, growth failure, overweight and infant nutrition. Angela is also a Lactation Specialist who assists mothers with breastfeeding concerns. Angela sees pediatric patients at all 3 office locations. With a family of her own, Angela knows the challenges of providing balanced nutrition with limited time.Whether you are an adult that needs to make changes, or you have a child that has a health condition requiring a special diet - the family needs to be part of the solution.That's why Angela believes that the "how" of eating is just as important as the "what" of eating. Many times we know what to eat, but do not know exactly how to implement it in our day to day life.﻿Angela has used her experience developing the LEAN Families program at Children's Medical Center Dallas to co-author another family nutrition program with Kathryn Fink, MS, RD, CSSD, LD. Simply entitled, "It's A Family Thing!," this program de-emphasizes any single person in the family. No matter what size you are, all family members have goals set for them to work on throughout the program. This is one of the most hands-on and practical nutrition programs around.

Each week Angela provides her readers through the Mommy Dietitian Blog, current and practical information to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Menopause - as a teenager it seems so far away. You never think it can happen to you. In your 20's and 30's, you’re having children or deciding whether to have children because eventually "The Change" will happen. By your 40's, if you've had enough children or decided not to there is a sense of sadness or relief.

Then it happens, Menopause. I was 45 years old. I chose not to take hormones because I really don’t like taking medications, unless it is absolutely necessary. I was going to face the “Big M” through good nutrition, physical activity and a positive attitude. Somehow I made it through.

Is It Hot In Here, Or Is It Me?

My Personal Suggestions for Hot Flashes.1. For those who work in hospitals or long term care facilities, check out the walk-in refrigerator or freezer. When my staff was looking for me, it was the first place they looked.

2. If you're food shopping, quickly go to the refrigerator section and stay there until the hot flash passes. 3. Always carry a cold beverage. 4. Remember to laugh, it's all apart of life.

The Golden Girls and Menopause

The International Menopause Society (IMS), in collaboration with the World Health Organization, has designated October 18 as World Menopause Day. In observation of the day, the IMS, through its organizations of Affiliated Menopause Societies, distributes sample press materials to inform women about menopause, its management and the impact of estrogen loss. World Menopause Day can also be a call to implement policies that support research and treatment in the area of menopausal health.

The IMS hopes that national societies will take the opportunity of World Menopause Day to highlight the increasing importance of menopausal health issues, by contacting the women of their country to encourage them to talk to their doctors about menopause and its long-term effects.

Saturday, October 16, 2010

World Food Day was established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in November 1979. FAO celebrates World Food Day each year on October 16th, the day on which the Organization was founded in 1945.

WORLD FOOD DAY 2010

If we are to make a difference, we must be united against hunger. The “1 billion hungry project” reaches out to people through online social media to invite them to sign the anti-hunger petition at http://www.1billionhungry.org/.

The objectives of World Food Day are to:

*Encourage attention to agricultural food production and to stimulate national, bilateral, multilateral and non-governmental efforts to this end;

Friday, October 15, 2010

Global Handwashing Day 2010 will focus around schools and children. Encouraging communities to plan activities surrounfing playgrounds, classrooms, community centers and public areas.

Global Handwashing Day will involve millions of people in more than 80 countries across all five continents to wash their hands with soap.

Of the approximately 120 million children born in the developing world each year, half will live in households without access to improved sanitation. Poor hygiene and lack of access to sanitation together contribute to about 88% of deaths from diarrheal diseases. The goal is to make handwashing with soap an automatic behavior. This one act can save more lives than any single vaccine or medical intervention, cutting deaths from diarrhea by almost half and deaths from acute respiratory infections by one-quarter. The main objectives of this global celebration are:• Foster and support a global and local culture of handwashing with soap.• Shine a spotlight on the state of handwashing in each country.• Raise awareness about the benefits of handwashing with soap.

The Global Handwashing Day's theme video withinstructions for children on how to wash their hands properly.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

"In the long view, no nation is healthier than its children,or more prosperous than its farmers." - President Harry Truman,on signing the 1946 National School Lunch Act.

Through the Years

The National School Lunch Program was created in 1946 when President Truman signed the National School Lunch Act into law. The National School Lunch Program is a federal nutrition assistance program. Through the years, the program has expanded to include the School Breakfast Program, Snack Program, Child and Adult Care Feeding Program and the Summer Food Service Program. In 1962, Congress designated the week beginning on the second Sunday in October each year as "National School Lunch Week."

The video below looks at the school lunch program from the late 1930’s to the present day. One can see from the photographs some of the changes in the foods provided. There is an increase in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean protein and lowfat dairy. (Part of the video has clips from a film produced by the USDA in the mid-60s.)

President Obama stated, "The National School Lunch Program will once again become a national priority. Good nutrition at school is more vital than ever, in light of the increased number of children in the US who are obese or overweight.”

Chefs across America are getting involved by creating more nutritious and appealing school meals. "Chefs Move to Schools," is a partnership linking chefs with schools in their communities and has more than 1,900 volunteers creating wholesome meals while teaching students about nutrition and healthy food choices.

USDA is creating a network with local farmers, States, localities, tribal authorities, school districts and community organizations to provide more fruits, vegetables, and other fresh and nutritious foods for school meals.

School Nutrition Association (SNA)Overview. Recognized as the authority on school nutrition, the SNA has been advancing the availability, quality and acceptance of school nutrition programs as an integral part of education since 1946. The School Nutrition Association is a national, nonprofit professional organization.

Mission. To advance good nutrition for all children. Vision. Healthful meals and nutrition education are available to all children.

The SNA works to ensure all children have access to healthful school meals and nutrition education by: *Providing members with education and training *Setting standards through certification and credentialing *Gathering and transmitting regulatory, legislative, industry, nutritional and other types of information related to school nutrition.*Representing the nutritional interests of all children.

SNA has launched a new campaign called Tray Talk. The site is designed to emphasize the benefits of school meals and showcase success stories from school nutrition programs nationwide.

http://www.traytalk.org/ - Learn about School Meals, Share your Ideas Brought to you by the School Nutrition Association

Salad Bar in Every School on WJLA-TVUnited Fresh Foundation places salad bars in schools for better child nutrition. WJLA TV in Washington profiles the impact on one area school.

Priceless: School Lunch

"Priceless" launched the One Tray campaign depicting the cafeteria tray as the conduit for a reformed school food system that supports healthy children, local farms, and smart schools. The video was created by three IATP Food and Society Fellows, Shalini Kantayya, Nicole Betancourt, and Debra Eschmeyer to raise awareness for the Child Nutrition Act.

Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture stated “National School Lunch Week reminds us how important it is that our children be healthy and active, that they not go hungry, and that they have access to nutritious meals." ﻿

"The beauty of the internet is that it doesn't matter where you are physically,because you are virtually everywhere."- Nadine Fisher”

Nadine Fisher is a Registered Dietitian, who is a Pioneer of Social Media and Internet Strategies within the dietetic and nutrition profession.

Nadine is the CEO at Nutrition Networks. Nutrition Networks is a Virtual Web Solutions firm established in 2003. The company provides numerous business technology and web development Internet services, including:

Domain Name Registration Email Account Set Up

Graphic Design

Screen casting for Recorded or Live Content

Training on All Services Provided

Website Maintenance and Hosting

Website Remix AKA Re-Design or Makeover

Web Marketing Strategy and Site Development

Website Updates and Management

Under resources, you can find free downloads to enhance your Internet experience and interactive tools to make your site sticky.

For more information about Nutrition Network download the website planning questionnaire and return it for an estimate on your project. Click here for the questionnaire and company brochure.

Nadine is a member of the American Dietetic Association and a past chairperson of Nutrition Entrepreneurs, a Dietetic Practice Group of the American Dietetic Association. She is a remarkable person and a dedicated professional.

Nadine has opened the doors to the World Wide Web for many dietitians and other health care professionals. She helped develop a new area of specialty for the Dietitian: as a Web Developer, Social Media Advisor and Internet Strategist.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

“My philosophy is simple: a healthy lifestyle is a combination of balance and moderation. There is no need to eliminate entire food groups from your diet. You can eat what you love and achieve a healthy weight. By modifying your current lifestyle and eating habits you will be able to achieve your personal goals.” - Eve Kecskes, MS, RD

Eve Kecskes (formerly Salik) MS, RD is the president of Nutrition by Eve, LLC, a private nutrition practice located in Manhattan. She is a Registered Dietitian (RD) with the American Dietetic Association. Eve uses an individualized approach based on lifestyle, eating habits and nutritional goals to achieve optimal health and well being.

Eve received her RD after completing an internship at Beth Israel Medical Center in Manhattan and received her Masters in Nutrition and Dietetics from New York University. Prior to her graduate studies she attended the Olin School of Business at Washington University in St. Louis. She is on the board of the Nutrition Entrepreneurs Dietetic Practice Group as well as a member of the Women's Health Dietetic Practice and Sports, Cardiovascular, and Wellness Groups.

Services - One on One Counseling

- Metabolism Testing

- Email Counseling

- Supermarket Tours

- Recipe Analysis/Modification

- Menu Development

- Kitchen Makeovers

- Corporate Seminars

- Lunch and Learn

Eve maintains an active blog with advise on general nutrition, breastfeeding and includes creative and healthy recipes.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

From our past we carry the love, inspiration and tradition of our ancestors. The future holds promise and hope as a new generation emerges. They carry the strength of the past and the courage and commitment to make the world a better place.

Generations United is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening connections between young and old through policies, programs and education.

Recently Generated United held a photo contest. Here are the winners of the 2010 Photo Contest "Because We're Stronger Together". The photos represent multigenerations from all over the world.

Creating New Traditions

President Obama prepares lunch for his wife Michelle and their two daughters Malia and Sasha. The president brings to the table a rich background in culture. Born to a Kenyan father and an American mother, he spent most of his early life in Honolulu, Hawaii. From ages six to ten, he lived in Jakarta with his mother and Indonesian stepfather. I'm not sure tuna is a tradition from his parents or grandparents, put he is passing this tradition down to his children.

Cooking With Kids: Tutti-Frutti Salad

Inspired by the reality of Childhood eating disorders and the lack of time families spend in the kitchen together, "Cooking With Kids" television segments were designed to motivate parents and children to cook healthy, nutritious meals together. Narrated by Michelle Weinbender, RD.

Dietitians Online at Facebook

About Me

I am a Registered Dietitian and nutritionist. I received my doctorate degree in nutrition education and statistics. I have worked as a food journalist and nutrition media consultant since 1989.

In 1989 my son was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. He is a quadriplegia confined to a motorized wheelchair. He requires total assistance with all activities of daily living. He is able to communicate verbally and speaks with clarity, insight and humor.